EFCC Arrests Poly Student Over £54,000 Scam

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, News Thursday, March 5th, 2015

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a 21-year old student of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) Lagos for allegedly swindling a United Kingdom citizen, Kieran Oakes, of the sum of £54,000 (N20m)

The student simply called Obiechina (surname withheld), according to a statement issued by the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, on Thursday said Obiechina met his victim on Facebook in 2013 and started an affair with her by claiming to be an American business man, Lisa Jackson.

The statement explained that the fake Jackson, a suspected internet fraudster, and his unsuspecting victim later agreed to get married.

He said that the suspected scammer collected money on several occasions from the suspect adding up to £54,000 ostensibly to travel to the UK to meet his ‘lover.’

“Oakes was forced to petition the EFCC after a seemingly endless wait for her lover when she realised that she had been swindled,” the statement said.

The EFCC said Obiechinna was picked up by operatives of the commission in a sting operation while attempting to pick up a parcel sent to him, adding that the suspect would be charged to court as soon as the investigation was concluded.